I caught myself thinking like a fool again this week.

The last month has been arduous. My mind crammed with others’ wisdom and sage advice, my heart encumbered by needful little ones, my days packed to the rafters with catch-up home and school work, my calendar jammed with daily and upcoming opportunities to minister, and my arms full of family. On the mission field, we often said, “If it’s not one thing, it’s seven.”

I kept trudging forward, waiting to crest the ridge and see the downhill slope. It had to get easier sometime, didn’t it? Ah, how silly of me. My mind must’ve been clouded by exhaustion.

God has never promised me that trials will be lighter or less severe than in the past. I’m learning, and any school in the world builds on the lessons already mastered.  (But who wouldn’t have been content stopping with the times tables, am I right?) Still, obviously, there are concepts I still need to grasp. And it ought to be clear to me: my lessons and tests will become more and more complex.

Jesus told me very clearly in His Word that a life of ease and pleasure are not a part of the course He teaches. What He told me I could expect is to take up my cross every day and lug it around as I follow Him, fellowshipping with Him in His suffering (Mt 16:24, Phil 3:10). He told me the world would hate me if I chose to align myself with His kingdom (Jn 15:19. 1 John 3:13). And He told me that when He says He’s working for my good, it’s not about wish-granting. It’s about making me more like Him and bringing Himself glory (Rom 8:28). The thing is, I knew all this when I signed up.

So, why should I be surprised that the perfecting, the grinding and chipping away at those sinful holdouts in me are still on His To-Be-Done-With checklist? He does offer breathers from time to time, leading me from strength to strength (Ps 84). He does pour His perfect strength into me when I am weak (2 Cor 12:8-10). He does offer me his yoke (Mt 11:29), but “easy” and “light” don’t give license to kick my feet up and “chill.” He says I’ll learn from Him. And He promises He’ll never leave or forsake me (Heb 13:5). I must allow those things to be enough for me.

Though my schedule isn’t letting up, and tossing sick BWIMH and kids into the mix hasn’t been fun, I can choose to keep plodding, keep trusting, and keep watching for those blessings of grace, peace, and holiness. When I’m tempted to throw my hands up and say, “God, don’t You see? I can’t handle one more thing on my plate!” I’ll remember His consistent and perfect response to my panic: “I can, my child. I can handle anything you’ve got. I’ve already seen it, already sifted it through my fingers, and already made my strength ready for you. And you’ll become so much more as you cling to me through this one.”

2 Peter 1:3 promises that through His divine power, He’s provided everything I need for life and godliness. I can’t ask for–nor will I ever, ever need–more than that. Through Jesus Christ, I have the strength to take on any trial He sees fit to bring across my path. And rather than rolling my eyes and grumbling, “Another one?” I’m learning to smile as I see them on the road ahead. I may not be able to laugh and delight in suffering just yet, but at the very least, I can look back with appreciation and forward with expectation. He’s faithful every time, and He’s pleased when I thank Him as I head into the maelstrom, just because I know that about Him.

Anyone heading into rough terrain? How has God blessed you already?